Jefferson City firefighters tackle trenches

JEFFERSON CITY - Firefighters toughed out the cold temperatures Thursday, scaling the only simulated trench walls in Missouri.

"It's too cold to be doing this," JCFD Division Chief Jason Turner said. "We ought to be doing this in the springtime."

The Jefferson City Fire Department trained for trench rescues because of a FEMA grant awarded to it in July.

"On the grant restriction, we've got a year to complete it," Turner said.

He said trench rescues usually happen when utility or construction workers get trapped during a project.

"We're lucky enough that it doesn't happen too many times throughout the year," Turner said. "But we need to be prepared. We have these situations around us at all times with utility workers working in trenches and construction workers."